Overcoming the Detection Challenge Imposed by Variations in Synthetic Methods of Peroxide-based HME’s

Eran Tuval, IDF, Tel Aviv, Israel

The ever growing variety of peroxide base Homemade Explosives (HME’s) makes forensic identification a difficult analytical challenge. The different preparation methods and the use of various catalysts and commercially available precursors make the final product impure and of variable consistency. Thus, it is difficult to detect peroxide based HME’s by orthodox methods commonly used for the detection of ordinary explosives. In accordance, the development of an identification tool that cuts through chemical impurity interference while grouping in “family like” clusters and allowing different forms of peroxide based HME’s to be accurately detected - is of a great need. The work presented hereby encompasses the cloning of different peroxide HME’s in a variety of synthetic routes, followed by tailoring of advanced, yet simple to implement, detection techniques in order to thwart malicious intentions.